Ben Cohen’s ex-wife Abby broke her social media silence on Sunday, following the rugby star’s split from fiancée Kristina Rihanoff.
The ex-England rugby star, 46, and Strictly pro’s relationship was the product of the show’s infamous curse when he left his then-wife of 13 years for the Russian pro, 47, in 2013 – before announcing their separation last week amid money troubles.
Taking to Instagram, Abby shared a sun-soaked and carefree snap as she enjoyed an outing to the horse racing in Guilsborough with her pet pooch Branston Pickle.
The photographer, who has 15-year-old twins Harriette and Isabelle with her ex, held up her glass in cheers as she enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather.
Abby is now loved-up with her current partner David Warner and the couple often pose together for romantic social media snaps.
Speaking of Kristina and Ben’s split, a friend told the The Sun: ‘Ben left his wife Abby for Kristina, only to now split with her.
Ben Cohen ‘s ex-wife Abby broke her social media silence on Sunday, following the rugby star’s split from fiancée Kristina Rihanoff (stock image)
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Abbey shared a carefree snap as she enjoyed a day at the races in Guilsborough with her pet pooch Branston Pickle
The ex-England rugby star, 46, and Strictly pro’s relationship was the product of the show’s infamous curse when he left his then-wife of 13 years for the Russian pro, 47 (pictured 2023)
‘It’s like the curse in reverse. This will be like karma for Abby, she was so upset when Ben left her. It’s like he has got his comeuppance.’
Ben previously insisted nothing happened with Kristina during their partnership on the BBC dance competition, yet after their journey on the show came to an end he developed feelings so strong that he walked away from his marriage.
At the time Abby spoke publicly about her heartbreak, claiming Ben had ‘done the dirty’ on her and famously declaring: ‘My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to in every respect, has left me for a f**king Russian dancer.’
Yet Ben and Kristina paid no attention to the outside noise as they proudly declared their love for each other – going on to welcome daughter Milena, eight.
At the time of her marriage breakdown, Abby told The Sun On Sunday: ‘The last two years have been the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me. He’s done the dirty on me. I want people to know.
‘I don’t want to cause stress or further damage by stirring things up. But I’m just trying to recover from what has been the most horrific time of my life.’
Regardless of when Ben’s new romance started, it was no wonder Abby’s sense of betrayal felt overwhelming.
The couple first met when they were 16, and before Strictly they lived a decidedly down-to-earth lifestyle, despite his status as a rugby player.
At the time Abby spoke publicly about her heartbreak, claiming Ben had ‘done the dirty’ and famously declaring: ‘My husband has left me for a f**king Russian dancer’ (pictured 2014)
Abby is now loved-up with her current partner David Warner, proudly showing off the hunk on her Instagram
Ben previously insisted nothing happened with Kristina during their partnership on the BBC dance competition (pictured) before developing feelings for each other
‘Ben and I had a lovely marriage,’ she told the Mail. ‘We were just Abs and Ben. We had no problems and he was always loyal to me. He was a really good husband who just happened to be a famous rugby player.’
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Abby’s career was eventing and running a livery yard from their home. She described how Ben would play rugby and then come back to their ‘bubble’ with their horse – and later their twin daughters, who were born in 2007.
It comes after Ben appeared in high spirits on a trip to the pub on Sunday, as he was seen for the first time since the split was announced.
He posted a clip from the outing to his Instagram Stories where he shared his predictions for England’s Six Nations game with customers at The Cabbage Patch Pub in Twickenham.
He was dressed casually in a gilet and jeans and appeared relaxed while speaking into a microphone to offer his insight to fellow rugby fans.
24-hours earlier Strictly dancer, who has an eight-year-old daughter called Milena with the former rugby player, was spotted looking downcast on her first public outing since the split was revealed.
was told that it was the severe financial difficulties they had recently experienced are believed to have been behind their split.
It comes after Ben appeared in high spirits on a trip to the pub on Sunday, as he was seen for the first time since the split was announced
Just 24-hours earlier Kristina was spotted looking downcast
The extent of the couple’s struggles was laid bare in unusual circumstances – during a court appearance last September when Kristina was caught driving without insurance.
Giving evidence during the case, England World Cup winning rugby star Ben admitted he had bungled the handling of their car insurance policy and told how he was ‘fighting to save his relationship and home’.
A friend of the couple said: ‘The past six months have been hell for them and it has torn the love they had apart. For the sake of their family, they have chosen to go forward as separate individuals.
‘Those close to them who know them as a couple had hoped they would be able to work things out but for now it’s over and it looks like there’s no going back.’
The couple were left with crippling debts after they ploughed every penny they had into a yoga studio which plunged into crisis during the Covid pandemic.
According to The Sun, the couple are now left with a crippling £1million debt.